Review of Halloween Hafla ’07

Wenatchee, WA

By Nizana

Sabah Ensemble (Hostesses)

Salyna Gracie (Workshop Instructor)

     Alwiyah, Roy and Sabah; the Scabland Band crews did it again! This seventh annual event was PACKED with “East Side” performers from all over! (Washington, east of the mountains…) Granted, some years it has been the “Hollywood” Hafla, but none the less, it’s been a great annual alternative fall workshop and hafla!

Sabah

     Held on Oct 20th in East Wenatchee, again this year, a workshop was also featured where workshop participants were able to perform in the evening show.  This time the workshop instructor was taught by Salyna Gracie. Almost everyone was in the spirit of Halloween or “alternative” of one degree or another. The gym was turned into Halloween/festival land- beautifully decorated and outstanding job of setting up lovely “tents” for the stage area! 

    The workshop was about “dancing from the inside out,” to help you to be more creative, using combinations with undulations, belly rolls and isolations.  Salyna studied with Delilah, and now lives in Methow where she recently produced the Methow Moonlight Hafla. She was previously with the Visionary Dancers, and now directs her troupe, Salyna’s Scheherazades. A few of the 40 workshop participants performed a round robin, started out by Salyna, to both cd and live music by the Scabland Band and Tri-Cities drum circle.   

Salyna

    The show, with an alternative focus, had all sorts of routines going on throughout the very long, but fun night. A successful food drive was held in conjunction with this event. "Dracula," (Rick of the Scabland Band) emceed the evening’s festivities. Programs highlighted the performers and their routines in the show. Opening the show was Sabah to “Staying Alive” and then the rest of the first act included Zarina Isra of Spokane, Lulu of the Tri-Cities, Troupe Azure

from Walla Walla, Brishen and Leona from Tri-Cities, Ya Banat from Okanogan, Sylvia and Wendy (“The Margarita Sisters”) of Wenatchee, Troupe Amunet, Powers of Belly Dancing from Yakima, workshop instructor Salyna Gracie, workshop participants from all over this side of the state, Sha’Mal from Couer d’Alene, Idaho and Sultana Dancers and Tri-Cities Drum Circle.

    Raffle prizes were drawn for both performers and the audience, and there was a short intermission before the second act. Now mind you, I was suffering from a two-day migraine, so I may not remember everything to 100% and apologize if I left someone out (thank Goddess for the program!) Performers in the second act included Sisters of Sabah, Troupe du Soleil from the Tri-Cities, Linda Stahler from Wenatchee, Desert Silk Dance Company from Spokane, Shaheena Safahri from Spokane, Nah’Joom Dancers from Spokane, Harem Scare-em from Tri-Cities, Alicia Provo of Wenatchee, Fathiyya of Spokane, Shennteelaa from Tri-Cities, with Sabah Ensemble closing out the show. A special surprise was to find Yasmin, formerly from Seattle, now of Idaho, added to the second act. Vending was by Powers of Belly Dance, Gaylene’s Boutique and Magic City Costumes. Looking forward to next year!